lake effect

noun

: a meteorological phenomenon in which warm moist air rising from a body of water mixes with cold dry air overhead resulting in precipitation especially downwind
usually hyphenated when used attributively
lake-effect snows

Examples of lake effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Arctic blast will also bring lake effect snow through Wednesday. Melissa Griffin, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2026 Monday's snow is focused across the Great Lakes, where heavy lake effect will blanket the typical snowbelt areas downwind of the lakes. Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 19 Jan. 2026 Forecasters are predicting Buffalo could see between two to three feet of lake effect snow on Sunday, combined with wind gusts with speeds up to 45 mph. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026 Heavy lake effect snow has been causing traffic problems throughout the day in Northwest Indiana. Todd Feurer, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lake effect

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lake effect was in 1951

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Cite this Entry

“Lake effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lake%20effect. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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